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If this is indeed the conclusion of the Golden State Warriors’ era of dominance, they are not going down without a fight.
Steph Curry continues to be one of the premier players in the league. However, injuries have finally caught up with Klay Thompson. Draymond Green is both a valuable asset and a significant problem, and the young players on the team seem to lack trust in head coach Steve Kerr.
With a record below .500 and time running out, the Golden State Warriors reportedly made a final desperate attempt to turn things around at the NBA trade deadline.
Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN report that the Warriors made an effort to acquire Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James.
This move would have brought together two of the most influential players of the 2000s, both in the twilight of their careers.
However, it did not come to fruition.
“The Warriors were eager to propose a trade package to the Lakers, but neither the Lakers nor James were willing to explore a potential blockbuster,” the report states. “Even at 39 years old, James is still performing at an All-NBA level, which sparked the Warriors’ imagination about his ability to extend the lifespan of their fading dynasty.”
Currently, James and the Lakers sit in ninth place in the Western Conference with a record of 29-26, just one game ahead of the Warriors.
However, the superstar forward has a player option at the end of the season and may choose to finish his career elsewhere, especially considering his repeated threats to the front office about a potential departure.
Nevertheless, when the trade deadline arrived, the report claims that James was content to remain in LA.
“James’ agent, Rich Paul, informed Warriors owner Joe Lacob and Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. that James had no interest in a trade and wished to stay with the Lakers,” Wojnarowski and Shelburne reveal. “When Dunleavy reached out to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka in the hours leading up to the deadline, he received the same response: The Lakers intended to keep James, according to sources.”
As a result, the NBA may find itself in a situation where neither Curry and the Warriors nor James and the Lakers qualify for the playoffs.
According to the Source brobible.com